Cargo snake

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for securing an article in the cargo area of a vehicle and for adding weight to the vehicle when driving on snow covered roads. The apparatus comprising an elongated flexible tubular member having each of a first predetermined shape and a predetermined length. A filler type material is disposed inside the elongated tubular member for adding a predetermined weight to such apparatus. The apparatus further includes a mechanism disposed at each end of the elongated tubular member for both acting as a handle and for securing such apparatus to a predetermined portion of a cargo area in such vehicle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/780,222 filed Mar. 8, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to securing cargo in a cargo area of a motor vehicle and, more particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for securing various shaped articles in the cargo area of a vehicle which will conform to the shape of the cargo.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, as is generally well known in the prior art, various items are carried in the back of a vehicle cargo area. Examples of such articles include groceries, tool boxes, paint, plants, and various other types of equipment. Examples of such equipment include lawn mowers, snow blowers, garden plows, etc.

As is well recognized, each of these particular items can easily shift while being transported from one location to another. This shifting cannot only cause damage to the items being transported but may also result in damage to the vehicle transporting these items.

It is also well known that during the winter months when driving on snow covered roads that added weight to the vehicle will assist in gaining the needed traction for the vehicle transporting these articles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus for securing an article in the cargo area of a vehicle and for adding weight to such vehicle when driving on snow covered roads. The apparatus includes an elongated flexible tubular member. Such elongated flexible tubular member having each of a first predetermined shape and a predetermined length. There is a filler type material disposed inside the elongated tubular member for adding a predetermined weight to such apparatus. A means is disposed at each end of the elongated tubular member for both acting as a handle and for securing the apparatus together in a predetermined portion of a cargo area in such vehicle.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus for securing an article in the cargo area of a vehicle which is simple to use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for securing an article in the cargo area of a vehicle which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for securing an article in the cargo area of a vehicle which can conform to the shape of an article to be secured.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for securing an article in the cargo area of a vehicle which can be used for added weight in the rear of a vehicle when driving on snow covered roads.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for securing an article in the cargo area of a vehicle which can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and colors.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a view showing the apparatus constructed according to the present invention holding preselected articles in place in the rear portion of a pickup truck.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings. Illustrated therein is an apparatus, generally designated 10, for securing an article 12 (FIG. 3) in the cargo area 14 (FIG. 3) of a vehicle 16 (FIG. 3) and for adding weight to the vehicle 16 when driving on snow covered roads.

The apparatus 10 includes an elongated flexible tubular type member 18. The elongated flexible tubular type member 18 has each of a first predetermined shape and a predetermined length.

In the presently preferred apparatus 10, such first predetermined shape of the elongated tubular type member 18 will be selected from the group consisting of generally oval and generally round. It is most preferable that the first predetermined shape of the elongated tubular type member 18 be oval shaped. When the predetermined shape is generally round such elongated tubular type member 18 will have each of a predetermined inner diameter and a predetermined outer diameter. Such predetermined inner diameter of the elongated flexible type member 18 is preferably between about 3.0 inches to about 8.0 inches. Further, in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the predetermined length of such elongated flexible type member 18 will normally be between about 2.0 feet to about 3.0 feet. Additionally, the elongated flexible type member 18 will preferably be formed from a soft pliable material such as plastic, vinyl and cloth. Plastic is the most preferable material.

Apparatus 10 also includes a filler type material (not shown) disposed inside the elongated tubular type member 18 for adding a predetermined weight to the apparatus 10. The presently preferred filler material is sand although other materials are within the scope of the claims. It is presently preferred that the apparatus 10 will exhibit a weight of between about 10.0 pounds and about 30.0 pounds.

The final essential element of the apparatus 10 is a means, generally designated 20, disposed at each end of such elongated tubular type member 18 for both acting as a handle 22 and for securing the apparatus 10 together in a predetermined portion of such cargo area 14 in such vehicle 16.

Such means 20 disposed at each end of the elongated tubular type member 18 for both acting as a handle 22 and for securing the apparatus 10 together includes a pair of ring like members having a second predetermined shape which is preferably substantially rectangular. Additionally, means 20 may include a tie means 24 engageable with each rectangular ring like member.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. 

1. An apparatus for securing an article in the cargo area of a vehicle and for adding weight to the vehicle when driving on snow covered roads, said apparatus comprising: (a) an elongated flexible tubular member, said elongated flexible tubular member having each of a first predetermined shape and a predetermined length; (b) a filler type material disposed inside said elongated tubular member for adding a predetermined weight to said apparatus; and (c) means disposed at each end of said elongated tubular member for both acting as a handle and for securing said apparatus together in a predetermined portion of such cargo area in such vehicle.
 2. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined shape of said elongated tubular member is selected from the group consisting of generally oval and generally round, said generally round elongated tubular member having each of a predetermined inner diameter and a predetermined outer diameter.
 3. An apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined shape of said elongated tubular member is generally oval.
 4. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined length of said elongated flexible tubular member is between about 2.0 feet to about 3.0 feet.
 5. An apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined inner diameter of said elongated flexible member is between about 3.0 inches to about 8.0 inches.
 6. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said elongated flexible member is formed from plastic tubing.
 7. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said filler type material is sand.
 8. An apparatus, according to claim 7, wherein said predetermined weight is generally between about 10.0 pounds and about 30.0 pounds.
 9. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said means disposed at each end of said elongated tubular member for both acting as a handle and for securing said apparatus together includes a pair of ring like members having a second predetermined shape.
 10. An apparatus, according to claim 9, wherein said second predetermined shape is substantially rectangular.
 11. An apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said means disposed at each end of said elongated tubular member for both acting as a handle and for securing said apparatus together further includes a tie means engageable with each rectangular ring like member. 